San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1887-01-11
30 NNIE D O ON.
A LOVE STORY.

So ignorant was she of the fact that
she was the cause OF his pain.
81 think" she continued, THAT shall
persuade you to 60 back to town with
us. 1t seems to me that you have gain
ed as much as you can gain here"
But there was no response in Eric'S
face.
"You will find yourself very comfort
able at Lady GertOn's," she said, land
then you could go to Grange Court.
You are only neglected here"
Here, where he had found Bonnie
Doom. How little she knew.
II think" he said slowly, THAT l
should like to remain at least some days
longer"
ut is quite needless" said his fiance.
"You are doing no good here. What is
the use of staying here?"
He wondered to himself what she
would say if she knew why he wished
to stay. 1t would most surely then be q
bad days work for him, and for Bonnie
Doom.
Suddenly her face darkened, and the
kindness died out of it; it grew cold,
hard, and firm.
"Unless, of course" she added, "you
have any attraction here-any claim OF
uO liOJ lCti ASoooh
why you wish to remain-of course, in
that case, II have no more to say"
His thoughts flew to Bonnie Doom; he
must shield her; whatever happened in
the future,-which was all dark to him,
he must shield her now; he must not
let these fine ladies know of the sweet
love passages between them; he must
shield Bonnie Doom. He might return
in short time, but it seemed inevitable
that he should go now, lest she should
suspect, and at present he had decided
nothing. Then man must be terribly
strong-minded to be able to resist the
persistent persuasions of a woman.
81 will go-if you think it advisable"
he said; and her face cleared as though
by magic.
piled. "You may always trust to me,
Eric; know what is best for you. AS
for the people here,-they seem good,
kindly peOple,-make them a present, q
handsome present, and then they will
be quite satisfied. / am glad you have
decided to go with us; Lady GertOn will
be pleased too, and | am sure you will
find the benefit of it. There is Mrs.
Vaughan. Shall ask her to get your
portmanteau and things packedp"
There was genuine sorrow in the face
of the farmers wife
at seems very hurried, sir" she said;
81 hope we have done nothing to dis
please you"
"No people could have been kinder,
Mrs. Vaughan" he replied. 81 shall
always be grateful; | shall come back to
see you soOn."
All her doubts and fears vanished
when she saw the handsome dOuceur
that Mr.. st. John placed in her hand.
81 shall come back to see you" he re-
peated, and Lady May thought there
was something significant in the tone
of his voice.
So it was settled. Mrs. Vaughan went
to pack his things, and his heart ached
for Bonnie Doom. He must see her.
Where had she gone? He could not
leave without bidding her goodbye. He
must see her to tell her that he should
come again. There was just this one
comfort that she knew nothing of Lady
May and his engagement to her. lie
never dreamed how quickly Lady Ger
ton had found him out, or what prompt
measures she had taken to secure Lady
Mays happiness.
He thought he should be able to see
her; but then he remembered how she
had gone with Lady Gerton. 1t was
useless for him to follow them; he would
wait until they returned to the house,
and then he could see her; he longed for
the moment; he had not known until
then how much he loved her. He watt
ed but there was no trace Of Bonnie
Doom. After time he saw Lady Ger
ton coming through the garden, but she
was alone, and Lady May was telling
him that tea was on the table, and he
must be quick. for they had long drive.
But where was she? Where was Bon
ME Doom? He could not hear her foot
steps or her voice; he could not see her,
and his heart grew heavy with unutter-
able pain. He could not leave without
saying goodbye" and whispering that
he should come again. He could not
leave without that.
"Come, Eric" cried Lady May, brisk
~, ''you must make good teal We
have such long drive"
Where oh, where, was Bonnie Doom.